| Three-Season Modular Porch: Attaching the Supports |
From "Weekend Handyman"
episode WKH-204 |
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Time: 16 hours over 2 days, not counting the prep work. Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 5 on the Weekend Handyman scale.
Materials:
Compound miter saw
Power nailer
Plane
Sheet metal crimper
Power drill and driver
Chalkline and clamps
Table saw
Modular porch system Day One - First thing you do is attach the post feet to the perimeter of the porch. These go four feet on center and get attached using concrete screws (figure A). To determine where the post feet will go, snap a chalk line around the perimeter of the porch.
- Mark where the posts will go -- every four feet on center around the perimeter.
- Mark the location of the holes and then drill pilot holes for the concrete anchors using a special 5/16" carbide drill bit (figure B).
Expert Tip: With any pre-engineered structures -- especially with a porch like this -- anchoring of the posts is critical. When you set the posts in the masonry, always use a sharp masonry bit because that way you get no wander and everything is precisely where it should be. - The next step is to attach the post feet to the slab using concrete anchors. A drill driver or impact driver is the way to go, but be careful not to strip the anchors.
- Once the post feet are in, attach the post to house to hold the porch to house. Special rabbet cut into the post (figure C) to cover the edge of the siding. Predrill holes and then attach to the house with lag screws. Use special 8" screws to make sure the post is attached securely to the framing of the house.
- Now that you have the house supported you can put the first header on. The post fits up into top beam and fits over the post foot on the flooring.
- To hold the header beam in place, drive a 3" screw through the header into the house. A couple of 3" screws will hold the corner in place.
- Now it's time to install the corner posts, each of which have three shoulders (figure D) -- one for each side beam and one for the front-support beam. A couple of 3" screws will hold the corner post in place.
Note: At the bottom of each post is a predrilled hole that matches the hole in the post foot. A steel dowel slides in (figure E) and locks the post in place. A tapered wooden plug then gets tapped in to seal the hole. - The front roof header goes up the same way. One end rests on the corner post, the other end is held up by a main post.
- The tenon on the top of the post fits into the mortise in the cross beam.
- Then the bottom slot slips (figure F) over the post foot.
- Drive an 8" screw through the corner to tie the two beams together.
- Next move to the opposite end of the porch. After attaching the other corner support to house, lift the left side roof header into place.
- Slide the next support post up into place just as you did before.
- Now that we have that side of the frame on, tie the beam to the other beam. Clamp them together temporarily and put the rest of the support posts up.
- Lift it into place, clamp it in the middle and put the rest of the posts in.
Expert Tip: Complicated engineering is what sets the Vixen porch apart and makes it easy. All the pieces are milled, cut and assembled in the factory -- designed to be put together. If you were to try and build this yourself, it would be difficult. Note: Keep cedar dry during installation. - The ledger boards are next. They are heavy so it takes two to set them in place (figure G). Screw them to the wall.
Note: The ledger board supports the top part of the roof. - Tie the two roof beams together with screws to make sure they are secure.
RESOURCES :
Pre-engineered Modular Porch System (Vixen Hill)
Brand Name: 3 Season (Lean-to) Porch System
Model Number: 8' x 24'
Color: West Red Cedar
Miscellaneous Product Info:
- Porch is fabricated from select #1 or better kiln-dried western red cedar.
- All component parts are pre-assembled to the fullest extent possible, to preclude any on-site drilling, cutting, filling, nailing or sanding.
- Porch is supplied with all necessary hardware and complete instructions to provide for efficient on-site assembly.
Vixen Hill
69 Main St.
Elverson, PA 19520
Toll-free: 800-423-2766
Fax: 610-286-2099
Website: www.vixenhill.com
Family Handyman Decks, Patios and Porches
ISBN: 0762104287
Author: Reader's Digest
Order this title from Amazon.
Readers Digest
Pleasantville, NY 10570-0235
Building Porches and Decks (For Pros By Pros Series)
ISBN: 1561585394
Author: Fine Homebuilding Editor
Order this title from Amazon.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Porches and Sunrooms: Your Guide to Planning and Remodeling (Better Homes and Gardens)
ISBN: 0696211017
Author: John Riha
Order this title from Amazon.
Meredith Books Corp.
Website: www.meredith.com
GUESTS :
Harry Baert
Contractor, HB Concrete
Excelsior, MN
Phone: 952-474-8373
Armando Rase
Contractor, Armando Rase Custom Carpentry
Phoenixville, PA
Phone: 610-933-5090
Chris Peeples
Owner, Vixen Hill
Website: www.vixenhill.com
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